You can tell a lot about a Golden Globes nominee’s fashion poise by how she exits her limo. Not surprisingly, Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara — wearing a Zac Posen with a painted on bodice — anxiously adjusted her copious cleavage in the reflection of her car, while Cate Blanchett of Blue Jasmine regally swanned from a backseat in a high-necked, lace Armani Prive gown with nary an adjustment. Wouldn’t it have been fun if the Hollywood Foreign Press Association forced the two to switch dresses?

But let’s get right down to business. Best dressed at this year’s ceremony? Hands down, Lupita Nyong’o in a vibrant red Ralph Lauren column dress with an architectural cape. The contrast of the sleek, minimal design with the blinding color highlighted her complexion and chiseled beauty. A close second would be Blanchett’s breathtaking confection of delicate lace with a sculpted open back. Black, which can feel so funereal on a red carpet, becomes a light, airy option with a full skirt of frothy tulle and shimmering black Swarovski crystals.

On their four-inch heels were Olivia Wilde in sequined Gucci maternity wear (reminiscent of Angelina Jolie’s Atelier Versace look in 2011), nominee Taylor Swift channeling Grace Kelly in a color blocked cherry and black Carolina Herrera and Naomi Watts in a molten silver Tom Ford with a gold crystal collar and sultry cut-outs. Amy Adams’ Valentino get up — replete with a capelet in a ’70s palette of rust, red and clementine — had a bold, retro coked up feel that felt right in step with American Hustle and flattered her slight upper frame.

On to the plus-size ladies — a genre that better mirrors us mortal viewers. Plus, it’s always refreshing to see an actress on the red carpet who weighs more than a wet Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Lena Dunham of Girls highlighted her curves expertly in a clingy, citron-yellow Zac Posen, while Melissa McCarthy outlined her silhouette in a black gown bisected with silver edging that looked a bit like a crop circle of paper clips. (Her 2012 Marina Rinaldi dress still stands out as a favorite because she accentuated her shape with an empire waist.)

Curse me for including the pregnant actresses in the largesse category, but I’ve been there and everything swells over those nine months. Drew Barrymore’s floral Monique Lhuillier with a sheer overlay didn’t come across as sexy — and the red appliqued flowers read a bit like splattered afterbirth — but it looked comfortable. Scandal’s Kerry Washington established herself as fashion royalty because Alexander Wang at Balenciaga made her a dove gray maternity gown with a chic drape. But if we learned anything from the preternaturally gorgeous and pregnant Wilde, it’s this: Long sleeves are a big, expecting girl’s best friends.

This year, the worst dresses were shudder-worthy. America’s sweetheart and nominee Julia Roberts soured her chic track record in a mash up of a corporate white blouse and formal gown by Dolce & Gabbana. Did she have a hickey to disguise? It looked like her strapless dress was humping a J. Crew shirt. Presenter Paula Patton’s voluminous Stephane Rolland concoction also looked like a frock under attack — by a twisted bed sheet. (Patton usually scores high marks on the red carpet so this look was a surprise; Roberts, on the other hand, strikes me as a woman who doesn’t give a snort what you think of her damn outfit.) Gravity’s Sandra Bullock’s color-blocked Prabal Gurung gown felt a little too saccharine in its icy pink and baby blue. It wasn’t an atrocious choice, but the bodice appeared too roomy and she didn’t look thrilled to be wearing it.

Ultimately, the fashion — much like the show itself — didn’t offer a lot of surprises. No major risk takers or incredible transformations. And a decided shortage of vintage looks too. Here’s hoping the Oscars bring a few gasps — or even groans.

I thought my sister in law looked terrific. Very unique and daring. She has a great body to start with and quite a smile. I, being a costume Designer myself thought she looked great. Good for her. She didn’t do the gown thing,,,gets old. I am proud of what she wore. What you wear does not define the person you are. It is in your soul and spirit. My belief is how you put it on and show the world what you are about as a person. I believe she showed that as a person, not just a celebrity. .With all of our differences…. I am proud to say she is my sister in law, great mother, great to my brother(true LOVE) and all in all a good person. All the BEST Julia…….jyl

Jyl, I adore Julia but ya gotta have SOME objectivity. The outfit looked weird – as a costume designer, it would have been nice if you’d steered her in the right direction. With all the beautiful possibilities, I just can’t see how she looked in the mirror and said “oh yes, I look terrific”. A smile is wonderful but why not decorate it appropriately.